The port of Rotterdam has an ideal natural location. Rotterdam is directly connected to the deep waters of the North Sea - the most heavily navigated sea route in the world. Major rivers such as the Rhine, Maas and the Schelde follow into the sea at Rotterdam. Rotterdam is situated in the heart of Europe. The European market of more than 500 million consumers and industrial centers in Germany, Belgium, France but also in Eastern Europe all within easy reach.

Due to its central location and excellent intermodal connections, Rotterdam is one of the world's most important cargo junctions. Each year, about 400 million tonnes of cargo are handled here and 30,000 sea-going vessels and 130,000 inland navigation vessels call at the port of Rotterdam. Rotterdam is the largest European seaport.